Lopetegui's Madrid job won't affect Spain at WC: Del Bosque

ANI13 Jun 2018, 19:18 GMT+10

Madrid [Spain], June 13 (ANI): Former Spain boss Vicente del Bosque believes Julen Lopetegui is absolutely ready to train Real Madrid and that his new job will not impact his work as the national team coach at the World Cup.

The 51-year-old was roped in as Zinedine Zidane's successor at the Real Madrid in a three-year deal and, now he would take over the reins following the World Cup.

Reflecting on his appointment, former Spainish coach Del Bosque was delighted to see Madrid turning to another Spanish manager, before backing his countryman to do good job for Spain as well as at the Bernabeu.

"I always lean towards the Spanish coaches. I think Lopetegui is ready to train Real Madrid. I am convinced that Lopetegui will do the same role, it will not affect him," goal.com quoted Del Bosque, as saying.

Earlier, Zidane shocked the football world recently by stepping down as Real Madrid manager just few days after guiding the club to their third Champions League title.

The 3-1 win over Liverpool in the high-octane Champions League final saw Zidane equal Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti's record of being the only coaches to have lifted the European Cup thrice.

Besides bagging three European titles, Zidane had also guided the Spanish club to one La Liga glory since taking over as the Real manager only in January 2016.

On a related note, Lopetegui is all set to lead the Spain football team in the FIFA World Cup, who are among the favourites for the title and are all set to take on Portugal, Morocco and Iran in Group B. (ANI)